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Market 127: Sold Spider. Assembled in Mexico!

Giulietta Spider 750D 1495*02420. This car sold on eBay recently for $18,100 after 38 bids. About the right result for a car like this. What do I mean ‘a car like this’? See the sellers description for the full details, but basically a largly unoriginal bitsa that spent most of it’s life in Mexico. Not that any of that is in and of itself bad, especially if the result is fast and looks good, but Giuliettas are trending towards originality being reflected in asking and selling prices as interest and values go up. Bringatrailer did a write-up which can be found here.Always a pleasure to see a Giulietta Spider nose that is well turned out in a color other than red, white or black. Not a lot to fault up here!

Stepping back things neither improve or go down hill. Stance is good for pedestrian duties. I like the greenish windscreen.

The back is as good as the front. Honest, straight, complete. Without restoration pictures I would want to personally crawl under it with a magnet and fully inspect the chassis.

This is what that pigeon saw right before he dropped one. He may have hit your wife, but I’m sure he was aiming for you. Nice color combo. Basically what I am going for in the TI.

1958 Alfa Romeo 750 Series Giulietta Spider. Beautiful and rare early Giulietta Spider. Stock appearing, but with 2 liter Alfetta engine, GTV 5 speed transmission, and 4 wheel disc brakes. Interesting history: The Giulietta series of automobiles were made from 1954-1962. The Spider was introduced in mid-1955. The early Spiders (750 series) are the most desirable of all the Giuliettas and were available new from 1955 until they were replaced by the longer wheelbase 101 series cars in 1959. Most Alfa aficionados, prefer the original 750 series and its 220-mm wheelbase for it’s attractive design and quick, precise handling. The longer wheelbase of the later Giuliettas and Giulias may give a more relaxed ride, but there is no substitute for a 750 series Giulietta Veloce’s nearly telepathic reaction to its driver’s input. This particular car was manufactured on the 26th of July, 1957 and sold KD (knock down) on the 26th of November, 1957, to Autosport S.A., Mexico. Autosport had an arrangement with Willys Mexicana S.A, to assemble the KD Alfas when they arrived. This process was common in many countries to comply with import and sales regulations that required home country content in the vehicles sold there. The car then spent the next 50 years in Mexico. It was imported from Mexico to the US in 2007. I have documentation that will go with the car that details at least a portion of the chain of ownership. At some point in the car’s recent history, the stock 1290 cc engine and 4 speed transmission were replaced with a 2 liter Alfetta engine (serial number ARO 1615 401980) and a GTV 5 speed. This change appears to have been done professionally. The correct after market mounts were used to tilt the engine 10 degrees to the driver’s side and lower it an inch so that the dual Weber carbs clear the passenger side inner fender. The required custom exhaust header is nicely fabricated. The clutch was changed from the manual push rod to hydraulic and works smoothly. An electric fuel pump was installed in the right rear corner near the fuel tank like the Veloce used. The brakes were changed to four wheel discs. I have been told that they are later Alfa in the front and Jetta in the rear. It appears that about the same time that the mechanicals were updated, the car was cosmetically restored. The body is quite straight…no dents or dings. The paint is nicely done although there are a few chips on the right side that look like “garage rash” to me. The interior is clean and serviceable although the door panels are not original in appearance. No rips or tears. Nice carpet. The upholstery is starting to fade on the seat tops, however. The top appears to be nearly new. The chrome is excellent except for the rear bumper which is “good” but not up to the level of the front bumper and grills. Portions of both driver and passenger foot wells have been replaced, but I can find no other evidence of rust repair on the car.

The engine starts easily. It runs smoothly with no smoke at any time and no odd noises (some valve ticking when warm). It generates plenty of power and has a healthy Alfa “growl” when underway. The transmission shifts smoothly and crisply. The overdrive fifth gear is a nice addition and makes the car at ease on the freeway. The clutch feels new and doesn’t slip, grab or chatter. The brakes pull the car down from speed straight and true. Pads look new. The tires are brand new 165 HR 15 Vredestein sport blackwalls. Steering linkage is tight, but there is a small amount of play in the steering box which is either supposed to be there or could be adjusted out.

Please keep in mind that this car is a nice driver…not a restored to concours condition show car. I am not an Alfa expert, but I know there have been changes to the originality of this car over the years. In addition to the drivetrain and interior changes, the inside and outside rear view mirrors are not original, stock rubber floor mats have been replaced with carpet, pull starter has been replaced with a “turn key” type of start, steering wheel is from a 101 series car. I am sure there are other things that an Alfa expert could spot.

Also, the car has several items that could (and probably should) be addressed at some point in time. The passenger door only opens from the outside. The driver door only opens from the inside. The trunk latch is missing (although the trunk lid stays down securely under spring tension). Not all the instruments work. The heater is not hooked up (although appears to be complete). The engine drips a little on the garage floor. The radio doesn’t work (or isn’t hooked up). There are other “fix-its” I am sure. I am having so much fun just driving this car, however, that I have not addressed everything that could be tinkered with. The car is completely drivable, serviceable and legal as is, and can be enjoyed as the new owner pecks away at any little niggling items.

1958 Alfa Romeo 750 Series Giulietta Spider.Beautiful and rare early Giulietta Spider.Stock appearing, but with 2 liter Alfetta engine, GTV 5 speed transmission, and 4 wheel disc brakes.Interesting history: The Giulietta series of automobiles were made from 1954-1962. The Spider was introduced in mid-1955. The early Spiders (750 series) are the most desirable of all the Giuliettas and were available new from 1955 until they were replaced by the longer wheelbase 101 series cars in 1959. Most Alfa aficionados, prefer the original 750 series and its 220-mm wheelbase for it’s attractive design and quick, precise handling. The longer wheelbase of the later Giuliettas and Giulias may give a more relaxed ride, but there is no substitute for a 750 series Giulietta Veloce’s nearly telepathic reaction to its driver’s input.This particular car was manufactured on the 26th of July, 1957 and sold KD (knock down) on the 26th of November, 1957, to Autosport S.A., Mexico. Autosport had an arrangement with Willys Mexicana S.A, to assemble the KD Alfas when they arrived. This process was common in many countries to comply with import and sales regulations that required home country content in the vehicles sold there.The car then spent the next 50 years in Mexico. It was imported from Mexico to the US in 2007. I have documentation that will go with the car that details at least a portion of the chain of ownership.At some point in the car’s recent history, the stock 1290 cc engine and 4 speed transmission were replaced with a 2 liter Alfetta engine (serial number ARO 1615 401980) and a GTV 5 speed. This change appears to have been done professionally. The correct after market mounts were used to tilt the engine 10 degrees to the driver’s side and lower it an inch so that the dual Weber carbs clear the passenger side inner fender. The required custom exhaust header is nicely fabricated. The clutch was changed from the manual push rod to hydraulic and works smoothly. An electric fuel pump was installed in the right rear corner near the fuel tank like the Veloce used. The brakes were changed to four wheel discs. I have been told that they are later Alfa in the front and Jetta in the rear.It appears that about the same time that the mechanicals were updated, the car was cosmetically restored. The body is quite straight…no dents or dings. The paint is nicely done although there are a few chips on the right side that look like “garage rash” to me. The interior is clean and serviceable although the door panels are not original in appearance. No rips or tears. Nice carpet. The upholstery is starting to fade on the seat tops, however. The top appears to be nearly new. The chrome is excellent except for the rear bumper which is “good” but not up to the level of the front bumper and grills. Portions of both driver and passenger foot wells have been replaced, but I can find no other evidence of rust repair on the car.

The engine starts easily. It runs smoothly with no smoke at any time and no odd noises (some valve ticking when warm). It generates plenty of power and has a healthy Alfa “growl” when underway. The transmission shifts smoothly and crisply. The overdrive fifth gear is a nice addition and makes the car at ease on the freeway. The clutch feels new and doesn’t slip, grab or chatter. The brakes pull the car down from speed straight and true. Pads look new. The tires are brand new 165 HR 15 Vredestein sport blackwalls. Steering linkage is tight, but there is a small amount of play in the steering box which is either supposed to be there or could be adjusted out.

Please keep in mind that this car is a nice driver…not a restored to concours condition show car. I am not an Alfa expert, but I know there have been changes to the originality of this car over the years. In addition to the drivetrain and interior changes, the inside and outside rear view mirrors are not original, stock rubber floor mats have been replaced with carpet, pull starter has been replaced with a “turn key” type of start, steering wheel is from a 101 series car. I am sure there are other things that an Alfa expert could spot.

Also, the car has several items that could (and probably should) be addressed at some point in time. The passenger door only opens from the outside. The driver door only opens from the inside. The trunk latch is missing (although the trunk lid stays down securely under spring tension). Not all the instruments work. The heater is not hooked up (although appears to be complete). The engine drips a little on the garage floor. The radio doesn’t work (or isn’t hooked up). There are other “fix-its” I am sure. I am having so much fun just driving this car, however, that I have not addressed everything that could be tinkered with. The car is completely drivable, serviceable and legal as is, and can be enjoyed as the new owner pecks away at any little niggling items.”